Reborn As The Vampire Noble Lady

It was past midnight. The forest was cloaked in darkness, the world around me silent save for the occasional rustling of nocturnal life. I waited by the roadside, seated atop a large moss-covered rock. My horse, reins tied loosely to a crooked tree branch, stood still beside the dirt path, its ears twitching at every distant sound.

I had not lit a bonfire. I didn't need to.

As a vampire—no, as a daywalker—I saw through darkness as clearly as a hawk in daylight. My eyes gleamed faintly in the moonlight. I could smell a presence from twenty paces away. And should anything foolish enough try to attack, my katana, sheathed on my back in its long sling bag, would sing before they took their next breath.

At last, Gaim arrived—silent as a breeze, his boots barely making a sound as he stepped from the shadows.

"He took the bait," Gaim reported, his voice low and calm.

"As expected." I looked up at him. "Did you find the lair?"

"Yes, my Lady. Just like you predicted. Malte panicked after we left and fled his manor an hour after midnight. I trailed him easily through the back roads until he entered the forest east of the main village. There, tucked deep among the trees, is a secluded estate—massive, but hidden. It's guarded."

"Vampires?"

"Most look like criminals. They're organized, well-armed. I didn't approach too closely, but I marked at least a dozen guards patrolling the perimeter." Gaim paused. "It must be the Red Moon Syndicate."

I nodded slowly. The threads were coming together.

"Did the nobles gather?"

"No, my Lady. No signs of carriages, no ceremonial activity. I believe tonight was quiet."

"Then tomorrow night," I murmured. "They'll gather then. It's the perfect time to strike."

We mounted our horses and rode under the stars to the nearest inn—an old, stone-built lodge hidden by old pine trees. There, we rested until morning, rising only for a brief meal before preparing for the next phase.

By early afternoon, we were already back near the estate, watching from afar.

During the day, the syndicate's human collaborators stood guard—ruffians and rogues, murderers and thieves. Not vampires, but worse in some ways. They chose this life willingly.

It doesn't matter what blood runs through their veins, I thought coldly. If they harm innocents under my rule, they'll bleed all the same.

We kept hidden until sundown.

And then... they came.

Noble vampires, dressed in rich attire, emerged silently from the forest's edge. No carriages followed them. As Gaim whispered, "They must have parked further out to avoid detection."

"They're here. All of them," I said.

I watched as they approached the estate's iron gate. Lanterns flickered to life along the path. Shadows shifted. This was it.

"We move on my signal," I whispered. "The moment the gate opens—we charge. Cut everyone down. No mercy."

"Yes, my Lady." Gaim's voice was like steel.

As the gate creaked open and the noble vampires began to enter the courtyard, I gave the signal.

We burst from the tree line—blades drawn.

My katana sang through the night, severing limbs and heads with elegant precision. Blood misted the air as we carved our way through the stunned guards. The courtyard erupted in chaos. Screams echoed. I surged forward, Gaim right behind me, cutting down those who dared chase us from behind.

I reached the grand manor doors and kicked them open with a crash.

Inside the main hall, dozens more vampires stood ready, fangs bared, weapons drawn. They had been waiting for us.

Damn it… it's a trap!

In the center of the hall stood a man. Dressed in refined noble fashion, he wore a tailored coat, a tilted hat, and gloves. A polished cane rested in his gloved hand, topped with a strange orb of dark metal. His cold, pale smile chilled the room.

"Well, well… Lady Ella, the infamous daywalker. A pleasure to meet you at last," he said smoothly. "Did you come to sample my finest blood wine?"

"You must be Eric," I hissed, stepping forward. "The criminal who built this cesspit of filth and death. I've come to end your nightmare."

"Ah," he said, chuckling. "You think you can."

"What?"

He raised his cane and tapped the orb gently with his golden ring. A bell-like chime rang out.

"You two… can't… reach me." His smile widened. "Now then—get them!"

His underlings lunged forward. The hall erupted into a melee of flashing blades and flaring fangs.

Gaim and I fought with fury. The Mitrisil katanas cut through flesh like silk. One vampire after another fell before us, cleaved cleanly through.

Through the chaos, I reached Eric.

He stood calmly, a smug expression on his face, his assistant looming behind him.

I swung my katana with all my might—

—and the blade stopped mid-air.

It didn't hit anything. There was no sound, no impact. It simply halted, as if repelled by an invisible wall.

I gasped, stepping back. I slashed again from another angle—same result. The blade refused to pass a certain invisible barrier.

"What… is this?"

"I told you, Lady Ella…" Eric said coolly, "you can't reach me."

Suddenly, his assistant moved. With inhuman speed, he side-kicked me in the stomach. I was sent flying across the hall, slamming into the wall with a crash. Pain flared through my ribs. My vision spun.

I collapsed to the floor.

"Ella!" Gaim shouted, cutting down the last of the Red Moon lackeys to reach me.

Through my fading vision, I saw Eric approach briefly, his eyes studying me like a rare jewel.

"Such a shame I can't kill you just yet," he said with a smirk. "You're far too valuable."

Then he turned and vanished into the shadows with his assistant.

Darkness swallowed my sight.

And I passed out.